Roads closed on Maunakea due to hurricane-related damage
The Maunakea Access Road will be closed at least until Wednesday, August 28, as crews from the Center for Maunakea Stewardship and Maunakea rangers make repairs.
Hurricane Hone passed just south of Hawaiʻi Island Saturday night into Sunday morning, avoiding a direct hit but causing significant damage to the roads and terrain on the summit of Maunakea on lands currently managed by the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship.
The Maunakea Access Road will be closed at least until Wednesday, August 28, as Maunakea Stewardship crews and Maunakea rangers make repairs.
Winds reached nearly 100 mph on the summit and heavy rain opened up several large cracks on Maunakea Access Road. Landslides were also reported near the Maunakea Observatories. Center crews equipped with road repair equipment are filling and repairing the area to address the damage.
The Visitor Information Station located in the mountain’s mid-level elevation is open to visitors.
“We commend our dedicated rangers and staff, who are committed to overseeing Maunakea and safeguarding visitors,” says Nahua Guilloz, director of stewardship at the center. “Our teams are working diligently to reopen the roads safely and as quickly as possible.”
Rangers assist stranded visitors
Maunakea rangers assisted 17 visitors stranded about four miles below the Visitor Information Station on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands after a large tree blocked their departure on August 24. The rangers transported the group to the station, where they were provided with shelter and refreshments while Department of Transportation crews cleared the road.
Updates on repairs and the road closure will be provided as more information becomes available.
The UH Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship jointly manages Maunakea with the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority. The Authority assumes full management of the summit lands by July 1, 2028.
Read full story at UH System News.
